You are viewing content from Gaydio London. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Manchester's LGBTQ+ football club Village Manchester FC celebrate 30 years with tournament and party tonight

Saturday, 1 August 2026 at 13:00

The world champion gay and inclusive team are marking three decades since their formation with a five-a-side tournament at Powerleague Ardwick and a closing party at Cruz 101.

Village Manchester Football Club are celebrating their 30th anniversary today with a five-a-side tournament followed by an awards party in the city centre. The LGBTQ+ and inclusive team were formed in 1996 and have just returned from Valencia as newly crowned World Champions.

The anniversary tournament is taking place at Powerleague in Ardwick, around 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. Teams will compete throughout the day before heading to Cruz 101 nightclub on Canal Street for the closing party and awards ceremony from 9pm, with free entry until 11pm.

Village Manchester FC started out as a small group of friends determined to prove a gay team could compete in mainstream leagues. They spent their first six years finding their feet in Division 1 of the Manchester Accountants League, but the players turned out week after week regardless of results.

The breakthrough came in 2001 when they reached the semi-finals of the IGLFA World Championship in London. By 2004 they'd earned promotion to the Premier Division, and in 2006/07 they lifted their first ever trophy as league champions.

The club now fields multiple teams in local leagues and competes internationally. Earlier this month they made history at the Gay Games in Valencia, defeating West Hollywood 1-0 in the final to become World Champions for the first time in the club's 30-year history.

The Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) awards will also be presented tonight. GFSN is the national network for LGBTQ+ football supporters and teams across the UK, providing what one chair called "a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to support, campaign and play football" for over 30 years.

Village Manchester FC welcome players of all abilities, sexualities and gender identities. Anyone interested in joining can find details at vmfc.co.uk.

More from GAYDIO NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Bethany Antonia says she felt ‘devastated’ after BBC censored her ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt

Strictly Come Dancing star Bethany Antonia says she felt “devastated” after the BBC digitally removed the ‘Protect the Dolls’ slogan from her T-shirt, telling Gaydio she had “no sympathy or understanding” for the decision.
Good Law Project challenges ‘gay tax’ on NHS IVF

A legal challenge has been launched over NHS fertility rules that can force female same-sex couples to spend thousands of pounds on private treatment before becoming eligible for funded IVF.
Ella Morgan pays touching tribute to Brianna Ghey at Pride of Britain Awards

Ella Morgan walked the Pride of Britain red carpet in a custom cherry blossom dress honouring Brianna Ghey, with Brianna's mum Esther alongside her, as Esther is recognised for her online safety campaigning.
Glee is officially coming back as Disney+ and Hulu order a reboot

Disney+ and Hulu have ordered a Glee reboot from 20th Television. No cast or producers are named yet, but co-creator Ryan Murphy says he has finished a script and been in touch with about 10 of the original stars.
Why should you care about International Pronouns Day?

Today (21st October) marks International Pronouns Day! Here's why sharing and respecting pronouns matters, what the research says about misgendering, and one easy thing you can do today.
Blacktober Fest: Drag Race star, DJs till 3am and a big Black queer party in London

UK Black Pride's Blacktober Fest hits London's Colour Factory tomorrow. A Drag Race star headlines, DJs play until 3am, and Lady Phyll says it's about celebrating Black history and being seen.